Also, the Super Eagles continue to be ranked seventh in Africa behind Cote D’Ivoire, Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde Islands, Ghana and Tunisia. Cameroon are the only World Cup-bound African team that is ranked below the Eagles in eighth place.

Nigeria’s other World Cup Group F opponents are ranked higher, with Argentina being the third best ranked in the world while Bosnia-Herzegovina are in 21st spot and Iran are 42nd.

Spain continue to be the top ranked team in the world followed closely by Germany, while Portugal and Colombia retain the fourth and fifth spots.

World Cup hosts Brazil remain in the ninth spot.

February’s ranking witnessed seen less movement than last month, with Spain, Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia remaining unchanged in the top five spots.

Close behind them are Uruguay (6th, up 1) and Switzerland (7th, down 1), while Belgium (10th, up 1) have jumped up into the top ten at the expense of the Netherlands (11th, down 1). Meanwhile England (12th, up 3) and Russia (19th, up 3) have made good progress in the top 20.